Coming HomeAnimal Stories from All-Creatures.org

Chickens who are bred for meat (technically "Jumbo Cornish Crossbreeds"
but usually referred to as "broilers"), don't live very long. They are bred
to be large enough for "processing" at only 6 weeks old. According to the
University of Arkansas, if humans grew at a similar rate, a 6.6-pound
newborn baby would weigh 660 pounds after two months. You can just imagine
all the health issues that come with such rapid growth and unnatural size.

On Sunday, a new hen arrived and my world changed again. I am swimming
languidly, luxuriously, in the warm sea of new love. I can't get her off of
my mind, and I don't want to. I revel in her intelligent, sensitive gaze...
her vibrance... her spunk. Oh yes, Enid is the chicken of my dreams and I am
beyond thrilled to have her here at the sanctuary with us.

Enid and I met once before, briefly, in September 2012, just over a year
ago. It was just after she and 249 of her flock-mates fell off of a moving
truck headed to the slaughterhouse. She was dazed and frightened and I doubt
very much that she remembers me. I however, remember her well. I was deeply
moved by the incredible web of karma that brought Enid and her flock to that
moment in time. They had been forced to spend the first six weeks of their
lives in a love-deprived, drug-filled haze in a dark, dirty warehouse, only
to fall off of a moving truck just in time to escape meeting an incredibly
painful and frightening end. Then they found themselves surrounded by
well-meaning people, who coddled the little birds as the precious beings
they are.

Enid was lucky enough to be adopted by a big-hearted couple, Jen and John
Washicosky. Jen and John understood the sensitive and intelligent nature of
chickens. They took beautiful care of Enid and her sisters, Billina and
Octavia.

However, chickens that are bred for meat (technically "Jumbo Cornish
Crossbreeds" but usually referred to as "broilers"), don't live very long.
They are bred to be large enough for "processing" at only 6 weeks old.
According to the University of Arkansas, if humans grew at a similar rate, a
6.6-pound newborn baby would weigh 660 pounds after two months (source:
Chickens Used for Food). You can just imagine all the health issues that
come with such rapid growth and unnatural size.

Sadly, Billina's time on earth came to an end in August, and Octavia
crossed over this past Saturday. Enid lost her two sisters just a few months
apart and she was devastated. From years of time spent living with and
observing chickens, I can tell you that they are incredibly
intelligent and sensitive beings. They develop deep bonds, show great
care and compassion, and they grieve over the loss of loved ones in the same
way that we do. Enid cried audibly, refused food, and spent the rest of
Saturday and most of Sunday in her hen-house alone, mourning her sisters.

Enid cuddles with Octavia
Photo by Jen Washicosky

Enid's adoptive human family, although they loved her deeply, knew the
best thing for her would be to live with other chickens, and so they brought
her to Indraloka Sunday evening.
Enid was not the first of the chickens from this accident that made their
way back to Indraloka, after having
been adopted by others but that is another story for another day.

Today is Enid's day.

Sherman, one of our lovely roosters, fell immediately in love and
entertained Enid by prancing proudly back and forth in front of her as he
cooed and explained where all the yummy food is to be found. Enid watch in
calm amusement.

Then Thelma and Louise, the turkeys, approached. Thelma took umbrage that
another female had entered her territory and, fluffing up her feathers,
began to make intimidating noises. Enid never cowered, never shrank away,
and never got angry. She simply stood herself up to her whole height and
looked Thelma in the eye. Thelma backed right down and the three are now
fast friends.

Then Sheba, our pea hen, approach. Sheba is quite certain that she is Queen
of Indraloka, and never hesitates to
assert her authority over the other birds. Interestingly, Enid was already
standing at her full height, with great dignity, by the time Sheba arrived
to greet her. They looked one another in the eye, completely silent, for a
full 90 seconds. Then Sheba pivoted on her elegant left foot and glided
away.

Sheba, Queen of Indraloka

Late that night, I saw a different side of Enid.

Amidst the snoring of pigs, as the ducks and geese slept with their heads
tucked primly under their wings, and as all the other chickens cooed in
dreamland, Enid let her guard down. She was breathing heavily and her comb
was very pale. It was plain that her heart had already become quite weak. I
stroked her soft feathers and said, "I'm going to take care of you. I know
you don't feel well, and I know you've just lost your family. But you're
here now, and I promise you I'll be here for you every day of your life."

The look she gave me was merciful and tender as she said with her eyes, "I
won't be here much longer, my dear. I've simply come home to die." We sat in
the sleep-filled barn, the light of the full moon streaming through the
window and my hand resting on her back. Together, we cried at the beauty of
autumn and the brief, sacred journey of life.

Indra is the founder of
Indraloka Animal
Sanctuary, an all-species safe haven for animals that would otherwise
have been euthanized or slaughtered. Indraloka is founded on two principles:
1) the earth itself and all life are sacred and 2) we are all related.
Indraloka supports animal rescue groups by providing a lifetime home for
animals that are otherwise unadoptable, and also rescues farm animals from
cruelty. Indra has dedicated her life to helping previously traumatized
animals heal and rediscover joy, love, and trust. In the process, the
animals she set out to help have become her greatest healers and teachers.

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